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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2006 Jun-Jul;21(3):169–174. doi: 10.1177/1533317506289257

Switching Elderly Patients With Dementia From Risperidone to Quetiapine

A Retrospective Study

Subramoniam Madhusoodanan 1, Olivera Bogunovic 2
PMCID: PMC10833209  PMID: 16869337

Abstract

The objective of this study was to collect data on outcomes obtained when switching elderly nursing home residents with dementia from risperidone to quetiapine. Medical records were reviewed to identify dementia patients switched from risperidone to quetiapine. Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scores assigned retrospectively (at switch and weeks 4-6) assessed treatment. Data from 15 men and 52 women (mean age, 82.8 years) were evaluated. The mean daily dose of risperidone at switch was 1.42 mg. Switching was abrupt in all but 2 patients. The mean daily dose of quetiapine after the switch was 87.3 mg. After the switch, the CGI Severity of Illness score remained unchanged, but the CGI Global Improvement score was positive. Fourteen patients reported somnolence; 3 patients discontinued quetiapine. Most patients in this study were switched from risperidone to quetiapine with no worsening of clinical status.

Keywords: psychosis, dementia, elderly, quetiapine, risperidone, switch

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Contributor Information

Subramoniam Madhusoodanan, Peninsula Hospital Center; St John's Episcopal Hospital; State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn, New York; and the State University of New York, Buffalo, sdanan@ehs.org .

Olivera Bogunovic, Peninsula Hospital Center; St John's Episcopal Hospital; State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn, New York; and the State University of New York, Buffalo.

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